Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2017 Recap

by Carry HQ, January 24, 2017

If you’re an outdoor brand, Outdoor Retailer is the one trade show you don’t want to miss. Experienced industry giants and up-and-coming brands alike vie for the attention of thousands of attendees. And those attendees in turn are eager to get an insider peek at new products and trends to look forward to. OR’s Winter Market 2017 recently took place from 10th to 12th January, and our team of Brad Meyer, John Pangilinan and Melisine got stuck into the action scoping out great gear on the carry front…

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Millican

Millican has a new line of lightweight, weatherproof, camera-friendly travel packs that will help simplify your life. The Marsden Camera pack has all the space you need for a long weekend and convenient access to all your gear. Also part of the line is the Bowden Camera messenger pack with a slick rolltop opening. To complete this well-designed series is the M330 Camera insert that works well as an on-the-go camera bag but also fits inside the Marsden pack.

In addition to the larger bags they have added a few accessories for making travel easier, including the M332 Miles Wash Bag, M336 Smith Utility Pouch and M333 Travel Wallet. Plus you can expect to see updated colorways for their Fall 2017 line.

The Miles the Duffel stood out too. The bag offers versatile carrying options as both a traditional duffel and as a pack, with internal compression straps, internal pockets, a laptop sleeve, and travel document pocket. It comes in two sizes, 28L and 40L.

MiiR

There are no new bags from MiiR, but they have introduced updates to their tumblers including a 6 and 8 ounce option with double wall vacuum insulation. They’ve also introduced “wide mouth” bottles. The new hydration products will easily win people over thanks to super clean aesthetics and basic colorways. These bottles will also be a part of their Product to Project fund that gives back to people in need with clean water projects and educational resources.

Lander

This is a rising brand that is bringing a clean outdoor look and functionality to expedition-inspired accessories. With a design team that has heaps of experience in the outdoors, you know they have some great product coming out.

The Nebo iPhone case is designed with crush zones for active users, thermoline isolation technology for cold weather and a detachable lanyard that helps with the fearless selfies. The Cascade power bank has a burly feel and plenty of juice to charge any device, and the Neve lightning USB cord includes a reflective weave to avoid it getting easily lost in your dark tent.

Gregory

With the first view of the booth you see the new Alpinisto pack in a very powerful bright green, and it’s not just for show. When you’re high up in the snowy alpine you need to be seen. The new design has been minimized to reduce weight but still keeps a burly construction. Also the new molded diamond back panel sheds snow and ventilates with ease.

The Baltoro has also been upgraded to 95L to form part of their pro series designed for burly Norwegians.

New additions to the Avenues series include the Boon Overnight Rucksack that has more room and access for weekend trips around the city or on the trail. The Explore series has new colors and a daypack with a simple box shape and water-resistant construction with coated fabrics and water-resistant zippers.

Filson

New from Filson is the addition of a classic rucksack, dopp kit and duffels to their popular Nylon series. Also from the Original series they have added rolling duffels with all the traditional leather features.

The Lost Explorer

These bags were seen at the Schoeller fabrics booth showing off their new Cork Shell material. The Daypack and Traveler bag have a perfect blend of premium materials, hardware and simple design that will make any designer stop for a second look.

The North Face

TNF offers considered additions to the ski and running scene, including some ultralight trail runner packs and carry features such as quick-access skin pockets, ski carry, a harness bottle pocket and soft trico accessory pockets. Sizes vary from 20L to 30L and 50L and the fabric is 70D to help keep you fast and on track. They’ve also added the Skiddlyskatscoot, a sidecountry ski pack for those who keep it chill on the mountain and like long witty names.

Black Diamond

With success from their Crag series BD have added the Creek Transit 22 and 32 to the line with more of a commute focus for a fun day of work and play. Features include a padded laptop sleeve accessible from the back panel, a bottom pocket for shoes/clothes, and a large top pocket for quick-access items. Also for cyclists they have added a reflective webbing daisy chain on the front. This is a fully featured bag that will kick ass in the city and on rock.

In addition, they have introduced the Blitz 20 and 28 designed for the minimalist climber who needs a light summit pack, with the same features and materials as the Cirque series but miniaturized for maximum efficiency.

PIEPS has taken BD’s airbag pack and given it a slight facelift with new colors and some wild graphics for those who want more flash on the mountain.

Mountain Hardwear

The Bandwidth 30 is a convertible duffel backpack that forms part of the OutDry line, and is new for Fall ’17. The bag’s shoulder straps can tuck away to allow more versatile carry, and a removable padded laptop sleeve helps you adapt to different needs. The bag has a waterproof exterior (it’s not submersible though) and can also double as a climbing rope bag.

Vibram

Most of the time when you think of ways to stay upright on ice you go straight to gluing metal spikes on the bottom of your shoes. But Vibram have come up with a much better solution. This year they have introduced an Arctic Grip sole technology that grips slick wet ice, as well as thermochromatic lugs, which sense when the temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and change color in cold conditions. Look forward to keeping your ass off the ice.

Cotopaxi

Cotopaxi continue to embrace bold color-blocking with their custom Philippines material program on all the technical products. This series works with each sewer at their factory in the Philippines to let them choose whatever fabric and color inspires them for each bag. They have also added a few new styles to their classic outdoor lifestyle series including a messenger and flapped daypack.

Poler

Stepping it up a bit from previous offerings, Poler have released the Orange Label series with more technical focus features for the trail like Dyneema ripstop fabric, trekking pole attachments and water-resistant zippers. But they still retain features like a padded laptop sleeve and soft trico accessory pocket to keep things casual and versatile for everyday travel.

Patagonia

Daypacks have been a staple for Patagonia for years and they have given a facelift to the entire line, giving these packs a more modern look. They have also paid special attention to women’s fit by adjusting the torso height and harness shape to better fit women’s body shapes.

More fashionable additions to the Black Hole series include a tote bag and mini summit style pack, while the popular Ascensionist series has been updated to improve features and now has a more bold ripstop nylon paired with fun colorways.

Fjällräven

Fjällräven have a wide range of daypacks on offer. The new Kiruna Backpack is a very modern design with its darted construction and very clean lines. The Raven 28, 20 and Mini add a bit more organization with dedicated laptop compartments, side bottle pockets and soft trico pockets. The High Coast daypack hits the summit pack trend with its wide mouth cinch opening and minimalist pocketing, and makes for a great day hiking pack.

Their Split pack duffel is a travel bag for the minimalist, with a large capacity and center split access with separation for your gear. You can store ski boots on one side and clothes in the other.

Another offering is a travel pack equipped with all the pockets and comfort you will need for day or weekend trips. Also new are travel accessories that vary from passport-size pockets to small shoulder bags for day-to-day needs.

ARVA .

Staying safe on the slopes is key, and ARVA aims to help you do that with the REACTOR Airbag System. In avalanche terrain, knowing this pack has your back can provide some much needed peace of mind, and potentially life-saving benefits if disaster strikes.

Osprey

Osprey had lots of great gear on display, including the lightweight and durable Farpoint (Men’s) and Fairview (Women’s). The bags include a stowaway harness and hipbelt, as well as a zip-off daypack. The Porter includes straight jacket compression and a stowaway harness and hipbelt. The Gearkit is versatile and stores away easily, and the Transporter offers ample space and durable protection from the elements.

The Trillium offers versatile carry options from over the shoulder to in-hand carry, and the Palea has feet to stand upright. There were also a range of travel accessories including a boot bag, toiletry bag, and packing cubes.

Pacsafe

Pacsafe are delivering on the security front with gear such as the Intasafe backpack, which offers a bit more of a sleek and urban feel than their previous designs. It features the same security you expect from Pacsafe such as zipper locks, an exoskeleton, and RFID protection. The brand also has a new super thin wallet.

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OtterBox

OtterBox have a new iPhone 6/7 and 6/7 Plus case system, and what makes it unique is that rather than trying to be the case company that does it all they relied on partners to provide the extra accessory depending on what is needed. Each case is the same, but you can attach accessories to it from SanDisk for easy file transfer (like a thumbdrive), a Wagner of Switzerland card holder / wallet, and from PolarPro for additional battery juice.

The Drybox returns with the 3250 Series. Waterproof up to 90 feet for 30 minutes, it has an interior foam layer for added protection, and 55 cubic inches of storage space to fit a smartphone, wallet, keys, and other everyday carry.

The Tenkara Rod Co.

The Tenkara Rod Co. delivers everyday carry for fishermen with easily portable fishing rods that can fit in your pocket.

Mountainsmith

At the Mountainsmith booth we spotted their collaboration with Chris Burkard, and some cooler bags aimed towards the festival crowd.

Snow Peak

Snow Peak introduced a new pack collection, with clean designs and various options for travel accessories. Packable bag options included a tote, pack, and duffel, which always come in handy. The toiletry bag was also nice, and you can never go wrong with your own travel chopsticks.

Rumpl

Rumpl’s packable blankets are similar to a sleeping bag, but in a very portable blanket form. Rumpl have a new double size for two people, and they also introduced a couple of options with new artwork.

Sportube

This bag is designed for skiers and heats boots/a helmet with power via a car charger. The bag also has a changing pad to avoid wet feet while changing.

Leatherman

At Leatherman’s booth we scoped out the Skeletool KBx, a “naked knife” and multi-tool that is extremely small and lightweight. Also on display was the Juice CS4 multi-tool, which is small and compact and good for everyday carry or to store in your car or travel kit.